WEYMOUTH Cougars held their annual presentation day at the Marsh playing fields with more than 150 children, plus parents, attending the event.

Kids from the club’s mini-kickers and under-sevens through to under-15 level were present, in addition to an Ability Counts team, and were handed awards on a day which featured a picnic, a penalty shoot-out competition and an obstacle course.

Four award categories were presented at under-10 level through to Ability Counts, including clubman of the year, most improved player, players’ player and manager’s player. Children in the under-7s, 8s and 9s were all given trophies while the mini-kickers were handed medals.

Special mention was made of Johnny and Natalie Anderson, this year’s winners of the John Clarke Memorial Trophy. The duo run two Sunday teams and also oversee the Mini Soccer School, alongside Natalie’s welfare officer duties.

In total, 11 youth teams were in attendance and club chairman Andy Harris said the day would serve to inspire his players, particularly the youngest.

He told Echosport: “We had kids there that were only four or five years old who have just joined the club. They were mixing with some of the under-15s, and some of them have been at the club since they were that age.

“It’s great for the young players to see that there’s a progression route and can play for as long as they want to or can.”

Harris, who will manage the under-16 and under-13 teams in the coming season, also revealed he has given himself an extra responsibility to ensure the growth of the club continues.

“I’ve maintained my involvement with the under-16s and 13s because I’ve coached some of them since they were five years old. I have also given myself the responsibility for developing the club because I’ve got a real interest and a real love for the coaches at our club to develop the players.

“Kids learn differently and they’re involved for different reasons. I want to make sure the coaches realise why they are involved and manage them accordingly,” he said.

AWARD WINNERS

Under-10: Harry Collinson, Jake Lee, Tye Schneider, Callum Clark

Under-10 Sports: Jaz Evans, Dougie Hodgkins, Henry Theobald, Preston Hepburn

Under-12: Elliot Freeman, Sam Gregg, Brodie Hepburn, Benjamin Moore

Under-13: Tom Colthard, Jules Holloway, Seamus Bennan, William Stroud

Under-14: Ella Easton, Dillon Black, Angus Jeffcott, Miles Stevenson

Under-15: Owen Harrison, Owen Knights, Donnie Beaudro, Joey Garmin

Under-16: Harry Fiddy, Ben Robertson, Tyler Chapman, Tom Homer

Ability Counts: Brandon Middleditch, Corrie Thorne, Clive Thorne, Jake White.